George, Robin & Jenny Darren: Savage SongS

A regular on the scene, it is unusual to see Angel Air Records releasing digital only albums, but that is (rather worryingly) the path that’s been chosen for the latest release from Robin George. This time the guitarist and song writer is teaming up with singer Jenny Darren for a romp through a set of songs that his fans will know well. In all honesty, you could argue that Robin’s followers are maybe too well acquainted with tracks like “Blues Song�, “The American Way� or “LovePower & Peace�, what with Robin having reworked them numerous times with different acts over the years. However, with the deeper, richer blues feel that has permeated his work in recent years strongly in evidence, there is a different, rewarding aspect to discover, and of course, there’s also the question of what Jenny Darren - a singer possibly best known for a show stopping performance on a UK TV talent show, where she’s stripped off her ‘old lady’ garb to reveal a rock chick look and voice to match - can bring to the tracks in question.

The answer to the latter query is a solid, confident, breathy, bluesy authority, where there’s no denying the lady’s skills, even if the higher register employed on occasion feels a little thin and forced. However, on the enigmatic “Castles In The Sky� she provides the soulful power required to get the best from the song, while her beautifully exposed efforts on the aforementioned “LovePower & Peace� possibly make for the strongest version of this number you’ll find; Robin strumming a clean electric as a sax backing adds further to the atmosphere. Elsewhere “Oxygen� slides and slithers seductively, “Savage Song� pulses and pushes in all the right places, whereas “The Rubicon� is possibly even more lithe, although the closing high note from Darren does seem just a stretch too far for her.

With a couple of exceptions, I’d have to suggest that these reinterpretations from the Robin George back catalogue will never really rival in my affections those that have come before. However, that doesn’t stop Savage SongS from being an interesting and intriguing release.

Track Listing
1. Savage Song
2. Siren Song
3. Freedom
4. Love Is Blind
5. The American Way
6. Selfish
7. Castles In The Sky
8. The Rubicon
9. BlueSong
10. Love Power & Peace
11. Oxygen
12. Selfish Klaus Bre-Mix
13. Savage Song Radio Edit

Added: March 10th 2019
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Savage SongS @ Angel Air
Hits: 766
Language: english

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